Routine inspection·September 14, 2023

On 09/14/2023, at 3:20 P.M., Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Joselito L. Del Mundo conducted an unannounced annual inspection at Ballena Family Child Care Home to assess its ability to meet compliance with California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 22, Health, and Safety requirements. LPA Del Mundo met with Licensee, Cynthia Ballena and stated the reason for the inspection. The LPA provided copies of the LIC 126 Entrance Checklist Form, LIC 311D Forms/Records to Keep in the Family Child Care Home, and all records/forms that need to be maintain in the facility. Licensee guided the analyst on a tour of the day care areas. The day care take place in the following area of the home: living room, dining room, bedroom #1, bathroom, and backyard (outdoor play area). Licensee states the day care hours of operation is 23 hours, 7 days a week. Currently living in the home is just the licensee. Licensee is currently providing transportation to children in care. During this visit, LPA observed eight children present in the facility. Physical Plant: The home was inspected inside and out for safety, comfort, cleanliness, telephone service, heating and ventilation, inaccessibility to poisons, detergents/cleaning compounds, medicines and hazardous items that can pose a danger to children. LPA observed all cleaning products and detergents are stored in the garage. Knives and other sharp items are stored in the top shelf of the garage. Household medications are also stored in the licensee\342\200\231s room and zero medications are currently being provided for the current children in care. Licensee stated that she is not a member of the food program, but she is providing meals and snacks to children. The facility is a two-story house. All upstairs rooms are off limits. There is no fireplace in the facility. The home has central heating and air conditioning units. Based on records review, fire/earthquake drills were last conducted on July 18, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. and is Pg 2 conducted once every six months or as needed. The facility has a fully charge fire extinguisher with a 2-A:10-B:C classification (reading in green, checked at 3:48 P.M.) LPA observed safe and age-appropriate toys, tables, chairs, cubbies, puzzles, books, and other learning materials. Licensee provides sleeping cots for children to use and are stored inside the hallway closet. Licensee has first aid kit boxes and emergency supplies stored in a bag. The smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector are in operable condition (checked at 3:46 P.M.). LPA observed electrical outlets are covered with a plastic plugs to prevent access by children in care. Licensee stated that she owns no firearms, and no one smoke in the facility. Licensee is advised that baby bouncers, saucer chairs, or any recalled and or banned toys or sleep/ play equipment are prohibited on the premises. Licensee is advised to check for fixture, furniture and equipment that have been banned or recalled by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Bathroom: Toilet, sink and faucet were clean and operable. During the inspection, LPA did not observed razors and/or sharp objects, shampoos, mouthwash, medications, perfumes, air freshener, nail polish and nail remover that will pose a health and safety risk to children in care. LPA observed step stools inside bathroom #1. Currently, the licensee has 15 children enrolled in the facility. Licensee stated that when a child shows signs of illness, he/she is separated from other children in bedroom #1 of the facility. Outdoor: The facility has no body of water on the premises. The outdoor play area has safe age-appropriate toys and play equipment. LPA observed toy cars, little benches for children, and basketballs. Per licensee, she supervised children while playing outside. At the time of inspection, Licensee is aware of the requirement to report unusual incidents and/or injuries to the parent/guardian and Licensing on the day of the incident and/or 24 hours of incident by telephone, fax and/or in writing to the Department. Licensee is familiar with the Unusual Incident Report form, LIC624B. The report on unusual incident/injuries can also be mailed to unusualIncidentreport@dss.ca.gov Pg 3 Review of records to be maintained: LPA reviewed with licensee the LIC 311D, Forms/Records To Keep In Your Family Child Care Homes, children\342\200\231s forms/records, facility forms/records, and information to be posted. LPA reviewed five children\342\200\231s files, licensee, and assistant\342\200\231s files. Based on records review, children\342\200\231s files are complete; licensee and assistant #1 have current mandated reporter trainings completed on 02/19/2022 and 11/08/2022; CPR/First Aid trainings that were completed on 05/06/2023 and 11/08/2022. Per licensee, assistant #2 started her mandated reporter training but was not able to complete the training due to assistant #2\342\200\231s mother is very ill and needs urgent or medical care. Licensee told LPA that assistant #2 will send the training certificate today. Licensee and assistants have proof of immunization against measles, pertussis, and influenza. Licensee and assistants have TB skin test on file. Licensee and other adults working at the facility have received criminal record clearance. The following was discussed with the licensee: Licensee reminded that 100% supervision is required at all times to children in care. Licensee was made aware that it is his/her responsibility to know the regulations as well as anyone who assists in providing care. Licensing must have the facility\342\200\231s phone number at all times; if the phone number is changed, licensing must be notified. The regulation prohibits the smoking of tobacco in a private residence that is licensed as a family childcare home and in those areas of the family day care home where children are present (24/7 ban). State law prohibits baby walkers, bouncy seats, exersaucers, and any other items that fall into that category. Licensee was reminded that all adults 18 and over living or working in the home, including employees and volunteers, must obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption, or transfer their existing clearance or exemption, prior to initial presence in a licensed Family Child Care Home. A civil penalty of $100.00 minimum/day up to $500.00 maximum per day/per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated. LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with licensee and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/safe-sleep as Pg 4 an additional resource. LPA also informed licensee of the importance of checking for recalled infant devices on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website at https://www.cpsc.gov/ and recommended they register all infant devices with the CPSC to be notified of any recalls on their purchased equipment. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see Evaluator Manual - Regulation Interpretations and Procedures for Family Child Care Homes Section 102417. When any IMS is provided, a Plan for Providing IMS must be submitted to the Department. The following information regarding ADA was provided: US Department of Justice (USDOJ) toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice)/ (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at: http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey will be sent to the email address provided. Please complete the survey and share your inspection experience. If you have any questions regarding the process or tools, please send them by email to inspectionprocess@dss.ca.gov . For additional information regarding the inspection and its tools and methods, please visit the Program website at www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/process The Duty Worker is available for questions Monday through Friday at (661) 202-3318 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The facility is in compliance per Title 22 regulations. During today's inspection, LPA Del Mundo did not observed deficiencies that may hinder the health and safety of the children in care. No deficiencies were cited during this inspection. An exit Interview and discussion of observations were conducted with the licensee. Notice of Site Visit: A Notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213 was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Posting Requirements: Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. A copy of this Report was reviewed, and Appeal Rights were also provided to Licensee, Cynthia Ballena.